Why is it in the news?

• Seven people were killed in Jammu and Kashmir on October 20 when suspected militants targeted workers from APCO Infratech, who are constructing the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway.
• This incident marks the first militant attack on a key infrastructure project in the region, as previous attacks have typically not focused on such developments.

About the Z-Morh Tunnel

• The Z-Morh tunnel is a 4-kilometer tunnel connecting the Sonamarg health resort to Kangan town in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir.
• Located near Gagangir village, the tunnel aims to provide all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination along the Srinagar-Leh highway. The tunnel is named after the Z-shaped road stretch at the construction site.
• The need for the tunnel arose due to the area’s altitude of over 8,500 feet, which makes it susceptible to snow avalanches during winter. Consequently, the road to Sonamarg remains closed for most winter months.
• The Z-Morh tunnel was initially conceived by the Border Roads Organisation in 2012. After the original contract was awarded to Tunnelway Ltd., it was later taken over by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

Strategic Importance of the Z-Morh Tunnel

• Strategically, the Z-Morh tunnel is part of the larger Zojila tunnel project, which aims to provide year-round connectivity from Srinagar to Ladakh.
• While the Z-Morh tunnel will ensure all-weather access to the Sonamarg health resort, it is also critical for establishing reliable connectivity to Ladakh.
• This connectivity is vital for military personnel to quickly reach border areas in Ladakh, especially as the construction of the Zojila tunnel—connecting Sonamarg to Drass in Ladakh at an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet—is ongoing and expected to be completed by December 2026.
• The completion of the Z-Morh tunnel will enhance safe connectivity between Srinagar, Dras, Kargil, and Leh regions. The Indian Armed Forces are deployed in areas such as the Siachen Glacier and Turtuk sub-sector, which borders Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Additionally, there is a significant military presence in Eastern Ladakh due to heightened tensions with China following the 2020 standoff.
• Improved all-weather road connectivity will reduce reliance on air transportation for maintaining forward military positions, leading to cost savings on aircraft use and extending their operational lifespan.